Two inventive approaches to confront racism this week appeal to Outside Left: one, predictably perhaps, involves subversion; the other, rather more predictably, appeals to his stomach.
First up, with the sort of act deserving of a bravery award, is an application from a Pakistan-born British businessman to join the British National Party.
Mo Chaudry is taking advantage of the recent court ruling on the BNP's constitution which banned non-white members.
Chaudry's application follows the BNP inviting Rajinder Singh to join after the 78-year-old man, originally from West Punjab, indicated his support for the far-right party.
But Chaudry's reasoning is different. He doesn't like the BNP one bit and his only aim is to "make life difficult" for the party.
Now imagine if hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other people with similar views to Mo Chaudry followed him into the BNP. The underground infiltration would be complete and the British Rational Party would be born.
Of course, the Holocaust deniers, Islamophobes, gay-bashers and assorted knuckle-draggers among the old guard would have to find an outlet somewhere and there are signs that some are already heading off to the National Front (remember them?). But that is not to say that another Mo Chaudry would not pop up and kick-start a new round of subversion.
Meanwhile, in the Australian city of Melbourne, yesterday was Vindaloo Against Violence day. It followed a series of attacks on Indians in the city.
Some 17,000 protesters had an eat-in at 400 restaurants to support the event. Even the Victorian parliament changed its menu as a signal that violence against minorities will not be tolerated.
Subversion? Peaceful protest? What is the world coming to?
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